News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-11-17
THE MASTER OF FENCING.
THE EXTRAORDINARY FEAT OF
A FRENCH SOLDIER.
Jean Louis Meets and Kills Thirteen
Successive Italian Opponents in
Single Hour.

Jean Louis Meets and Kills Thirteen
Successive Italian Opponents in
Single Hour.
10 give an idea of what brave man
can do If he knows fencing thoroughly
and but keeps cool and collected in
danger, we will relate an historical duel
80 extraordinary is this combat, that il
would be held romance, had it not been
witnessed by a whole army. The hero is
Jean Louis, one of the great masters OF
the beginning of this century, and tho
duel happened in Madrid in 1918. He
was the master-at-arms of the Thirty
second regiment of French infantry; tho
First regiment, composed entirely of
Italians, formed part of the same bri-
gade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
rles of nationality caused constant quar-
rels, when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged. After a small
battle hat. occurred in the streets of
Madrid, in>.which over two hundred
French and Italian soldiers had taken
part, the officers of the two regiments
decided to give slch breaches of order a
BLOW, and to re-es,ablish discipline; they
decreed that the masters-at-a of the
,@0 reg iinients should make up the quar-
rel and fight it out
Imagine a whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madid. In the centre large ring is left
open for the contestants. This spot is
raised above the plain, so that not ono
of the spectators will miss one phase Of
the contest.
The drum is heard; two men naked to
the waist step into the ring. The first is
tall and strong, his black eyes rove dis
dainfully upon the gaping crowd; he is
Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated Italian.
The second, tall, also handsome, and
with muscles like steel, stands modestly
awaiting the word of command; his
name is Jean Louis. The witnesses as
sumo their places on either side of their
principals. A death-Iike silence en-
sues.
"On guardr'
The two masters cross swords; Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis; but in vain, his every thrust is
met by parry. He makes up his mind
to bide his chance, and caresses and
leases his opponents blade, Jean Louis,
calm and watchful, lends himself to the
play, when, quicker than lightning, the
italian jumps aside with loud yell, and
makes terrible lunge at Jean Louisa
Florentiue trick, often successful. But,
with extraordinary rapidity, Jean Louis
has parted, and risposts quickly in the
shoulder
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo, "a
mere scratch, and they again fall on
guard; almost directly he is hit in the
breast This time, the sword of Jean
Louis, who is now attacking, penetFates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes livid,
his sword drops from his hand and he
falls heavily on the turf. He is dead.
Jean Louis is already in position: he
wipes his reeking BLADE, then with the
point of his sword in the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First regiment |
has Just been carried away corpse; but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen adver
saries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conqueror, burning |
to avenge the master they had deemed |
invincible
Jean Louis has hardly had two min
utess rest. He is ready. A new adver- |
SdIN SIdultS btIOIC HILL ~ SlnlSGCI CIAIh
of swords is heard, lunge, parry, |
rispost, and then a cry, a sigh, and all is
over. A second body is before Jean
Louis.
A third adversary advances. They |
wanted Jean Louis to rest. 81 am not |
( 'ro1, :" he answers with smile.
The signal is given. The italian has |
closely watched Jean Louis play, and |
thinks he has guessed the secret of his |
victories He multiplies his feints and
tricks, then, all at once, bounding like Il
tiger on his prey, he gives his opponent
a terrible thrust in the lower line. But
Jean Louis sword has parted, and
is now deep within his opponents breast.
What need to relate any more ten new
followed him, and the ten
fell before Jean Louis amid the excited
wells and roars of the army.
At the request of the Thirty-second |
Regiment Colonel, who thought the les |
son sufficient, Jean Louis, after much
pressing, consented to stop the combat,
and he shook hands with the two survi- |
gors, applauded by 10000 men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combat |
might be held fable were not all the |
'acts above stated still found in the |
archives of the ministry of var Outing. |